Parental belief systems and difficulties in parenting: using the parental awareness scheme as a therapeutic guide

This article applies in clinical practice an empirically derived cognitive-developmental concept called "parental awareness" to facilitate the creation of a therapeutic alliance with parents and to motivate them toward change. The concept encompasses parental belief systems about their children as well as ideas about the parental role. The typical complaints and motivations of parents functioning at each of the four levels of parental awareness-egocentric, conventional, child centered, and relational systemic-are spelled out, and suggestions are offered for corresponding useful techniques for stimulating parents' more reflective and complex thinking.